People’s Revolution at a Cross-Road: Is the National Salvation Front (NAS) of Gen. Thomas Chirillo Swaka Facing a Leadership Crisis?
Thomas Cirilo Swaka, former SPLA deputy chief of staff for logistics
By Simon El Hag Kulusika, Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 (PW) — The National Army for Salvation Commanding officer for Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria State, Gen. Lokai Iko, assuming the name is correctly spelt, was reported to have resigned from the NAS, a military wing of National Salvation Front (NSF) whose Chairperson and Commander in – Chief is Gen. Thomas Cirilo. Another top official Lako Jada Kwajok, chair of committee on international relations was also reported to have quite.
The reasons given,as reported, were that 1. Failure of NSF to meet the initial objectives of the movement, ie, to stage a people’s revolution. 2. Lack of trust. 3. Poor leadership. One should not be taken aback by such resignation or sometimes desertion or defection. It’s taking place all over even in the most peaceful countries such as Bhutan, Singapore, Figi, Bahamas, Iceland, Norway, Zambia, and a few more states.
But for a newly formed armed movement that is engaged in protracted negotiations with the R TGONU to lose some of its heavy weight persons is surely a set back and can have negative impact on the fighters of NAS. The Chairperson of NSF should address the matter within his executives and consult experts on the allegations to find quick solutions before they travel to Rome for next rounds of dialogues on peace in South Sudan.
A. Mass Mobilization of People and Resources. For a people’s revolution to take place and succeed numbers of measures and mechanisms have to be put in place. First there must be mass mobilisation by way of recruiting volunteers to sensitise the masses on the need and importance of revolution and what benefits it will bring for the people. Second, this mobilisation cannot be achieved without finances. This means the NSF has to source for funds ffrom those who support the crusades for the revolution. Contribution from poor South Sudan population will not suffice. Millions of dollars are required to carry out sensitisation from the villages to towns and cities.
This will involve person to person interactions and the distribution of leaflets with clear messages on the imperatives of revolution if people want peace and socio – economic emancipation and transformation. It’s a tideous, difficult and dangerous mission and task. If these measures and means and ways of effecting a people’s revolution have not been actualised, then there is some truth in the cry of Iko that NSF has failed to meeting the initial objectives of NSF. Third, campaigns of sensitisstion can be carried effectively by youths if they are ready for the tasks.
B. People’s revolution is supposed to be peaceful. At the initial stage use of or threat of use of force might be necessary owing to opposition by groups using force against the supporters of the revolution. But as the revolutionary forces begin to gain momentum force is not to be used. Rather the weapons of the revolutionary forces are slogans and clear missions. It’s assumed and desired that the flash points of the revolution are the villages.
From there actions such as chanting of slogans ‘freedom now’, ‘equality and justice for all’, ‘equitable share of wealth’, ‘equal representation in all state’s organs and institutions’, ‘a balanced national army,can be mounted’. The organisers must then work to get the march, ptotest, or demonstrations reach the towns and cities in peaceful manner.
Because the concern of all revolutionary forces is to achieve peaceful change that will result in respect of the rule of law, upholding of the separation of powers and constitutionalism. A necessary step to combating illiteracy, diseases, poverty and inter communal violence and establishing a viable nation ‘ state. The question that the reader must answer is whether peaceful revolution is achievable in South Sudan?
C. Lack of trust: If the allegations of lack of trust are proven, then the leadership of NSF have a lot of work to do before they can think of a people’s revolution. What is ‘trust’? A simple definition of trust is certitude the reliance on someone for his or her capabilities to realise results. Confidence that one can do a job as perfectly as is expected. A sergeant who is trusted by members of a company will lay a successful ambush against an enemy’s patrol and inflict deaths amongst their men.
Because the sergeant orders are carried out to the letter because of confidence in him or her. Trust is key in military as it keeps morale high. If an armed group has defects of trust, it will not operate efficiently. Because officers and soldiers will be consumed by mistrust. One hopes this is not the prevailing situation within NAS.
D. Poor leadership: What does this imply in military terms? The phrase is enigmatic as the magic Lamp of Ali Baba was. It can be understood in several ways. One is that the leadership is impoverished, such as being hard up in terms of commanding with confidence. Or that it’s inadequate and pathetic to be in charge. Worst still is that the leadership is mediocre and feeble in strategic planning and decisions making.
Another confusion caused by this phrase is to whom it’s addressed? To one leader? Or to the collective leadership of NAS? In any event, the allegation of poor leadership is grave. It diminishes the integrity of NSF. The matter needs careful review so as to be eliminated by reorientation and rethinking of strategies. The people of South Sudan are praying for peace. One hopes that the Rome dialogues will heed these prayers.
The author, Prof. Simon El Hag Kulusika (ZAOU, Lusaka), is a concerned citizen of South Sudan, Arapi, Pa-Geri County, Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan. He can be reached via his email address: pa352128@gmail.com or Lusaka phone + 260973711250.
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